What Do You Mean?

Chapter 17

My eyes widen as I watch Justin hit the floor. I look up at Mark who stands holding the solid, heavy, pewter candle stick that was sitting on the coffee table. This can't be happening. He looks at me with a smirk on his on face, obviously pleased with what he has done. I scream as loud as I possibly can but my efforts are thwarted by the tape that covers my mouth. It's pointless. Tears race down my cheeks. I tug and pull at my retrains to no avail.

He bends down and whispers in my ear. "Better quit wasting all that energy honey." I feel his tongue slide up the side of my cheek. My stomach turns. I feel bile burning and rising in the back of my throat. He laughs as I continue to struggle and sob.

Justin hasn't moved at all. Please god let him be ok. I hate myself right now. Why was I so fucking stupid. Please, please, please, I silently plead. He has to be ok! I can't live without him.

Marks starts sifting through his backpack that had laid forgotten on the floor. He looks over at Justin who starts to stir a little. Relief temporarily floods through me.

"Looks like I'm gonna have to take care of him now." He clicks his tongue and shakes his head. "You know what? I think I'll make him watch first."

I squint my eyes shut to try to will the whole thing away. Tears continue, a steady stream down my cheeks, dripping from my chin. My face throbs and my wrists and ankles burn as I relentlessly fight against the ropes that bind them. This is all my fault. I'll never forgive myself. I don't care what he does to me. I deserve it, as long as he doesn't hurt J again.

I watch as he effortless drags Justin up and into the chair right across from me. We are mere feet away from each other and there's not one damn thing I can do. It kills me. Why the fuck haven't Mikey or any of the guys tried to check on us? I don't understand. Someone is always on our back and the one time we need them, they aren't around.

I notice a small amount of blood where Justin was laying on the floor. His head must've split when Mark hit him. Thankfully it doesn't look like much.. So it must not be too bad. I'm screaming for him to wake up, but obviously he can't hear me. If J could just open his eyes before he gets him totally tied up...but that doesn't happen.

When Mark is satisfied with the restraints, he disappears into the bathroom. I try with all my might to scoot closer to Justin as his eyes start to flutter open.

*****

I fight to focus as my eyes slowly drift open. The room is a blurry haze of shapes that shift and tilt with each searing streak of pain that stabs through my head. The stinging ache flares intensely with each sluggish beat of my heart, but I push it aside and scan what I can make out of my surroundings, searching for B. Something is wrong...I just can't seem to remember what.

I hear a muffled sound coming from my right, but even distorted, I would recognize her voice anywhere. When my shaky gaze lands on her everything comes rushing back. She's hurt, and I need to help her. I need to get her out of here.

When I try to stand I become aware of my restraints, I'm tied to a chair. How am I just now noticing? My claustrophobia kicks in, but I push that aside as well. No good can come from me losing it in a panic.

She speaks to me again, but of course, her words make no sense through the duct tape that covers her mouth.

I can feel that we aren't alone. Someone else is still with us, so I whisper as quietly as I can and hope she's close enough to hear me.

"Baby, calm down..."

She blinks away tears, but fresh ones replace them instantly.